Many residents pay their utility bill every month without giving it much thought. But others worry every day how they will come up with the necessary funds to pay their bill. Fortunately, the City of Fulton has a program that allows residents with a charitable heart to help those who are less fortunate.

Residents looking to make a contribution to the Energy Assistance Fund can do so in a few ways. Anyone can drop by City Hall and give a check for any amount that will go into the fund. Bill payers can call City Hall and ask for a specific amount be added to their monthly bill. Residents can also include an additional amount when they mail in their utility bill. But specify that the additional amount is to go to the Energy Assistance Fund.

Each February the city notifies SERVE, Inc. of the amount available in the Energy Assistance Fund. SERVE is then responsible for distributing the limited funds to qualifying residents.

Now is an even more crucial time to support the city’s program. The Missouri Department of Social Services cut the Central

Missouri Community Action’s Community Services Block Grant in half. Also, money going to low-income households through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, which covers an eight-county area, has been cut to a little more than $1 million.

For more information concerning a contribution to the Energy Assistance Fund, contact City Hall at 592-3111 or email finance@fultonmo.org.